This week Mr. Cell's Honors Sociology class (11th-12th) read Beren alumnus Adam Hoffman's ('18) New York Times opinion piece on the question of free speech and the place of conservatism on college campuses today. Adam shared questions regarding the article that he thought would be interesting to ask, and the intellectual background that helped to inform him. The class utilized his ideas in a discussion on this topic.

We had an amazing time celebrating Purim school-wide this week. Everyone enthusiastically participated in all four mitzvot of the day and enjoyed a wide range of activities and games. The festivities culminated with a scrumptious waffle and ice cream bar seudah. The excitement carried on as we headed to the Silvestri home, where we indulged in more ice cream from a delightful ice cream truck - a perfect treat to cool down from the day's heat!

This week, students in Morah Sandy's ECE3A class learned about Parshat Ki Tisa, which recounts the story of how Bnei Yisrael became impatient and built and worshiped the golden calf while Moshe was up on Har Sinai for 40 days. They discovered that despite this avaira (sin), Hashem forgave Bnei Yisrael, teaching us the importance of forgiving someone who apologizes. Additionally, Hashem instructed Moshe to count the Jews by having each man give a half shekel, and the class created a craft to represent this process.

Morah Aviva's ECE4 class had an exciting week filled with new building manipulatives and magnets in their math and science centers. The students also continued their Alef Bet studies, catching up on letters Pey and Tzadik. During Parsha lessons, Morah Aviva emphasized the importance of having patience and maintaining emunah (faith) in Hashem, even when it is challenging to do so. She used the example of Bnei Yisrael's impatience for Moshe's return from Har Sinai with the Luchot, as well as Aharon's loss of Emunah, resulting in the building of the Egel Hazahav (golden calf). Morah Aviva also reminded everyone of Hashem's mercy and forgiveness, even after Moshe was furious with Bnei Yisrael's behavior. Despite his anger, Moshe prayed to Hashem for forgiveness on their behalf, and Hashem granted his request by giving him another set of Luchot. ECE4 learned very valuable lessons this week!

Morah Tsippi's EC2B class made “hamantasch” baskets. They painted a paper plate as the “cookie” part and stuffed in tissue paper and a Mishloach Manot goodie bag as the “filling”.